Exploring the Evolution and Future of Lab Notebooks

Presentation by Dr Samantha Pearman-Kanza on: Exploring the Evolution and Future of Lab Notebooks! For the FDM Webinar Series: The Future of Research Data Infrastructure: Global Knowledge Exchange.

Abstract: With the ever increasing realisation that a majority of scientific research data that is published is not “FAIR” (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) there has been a strong push in recent years to implement digital tools within the labs (namely Electronic Lab Notebooks) to combat this. However, implementing an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) is no mean feat, it is a sociotechnical challenge with a range of barriers and considerations that need to be taken into account if this is to be achieved successfully. Furthermore, we need to understand that implementing an ELN is not the end of the journey; digital tools and digitally produced data are arguably no more FAIR than the original paper based lab book if they are not utilised to their full extent. Join me to hear about the many challenges and considerations for implementing ELNs.